The man behind the Artistic smile

I never believed in love before, but I fell head over heels in love with him.

I was lost in the depths of love, infatuated and unable to extricate myself. But as I gradually found that what emerged from this sea of love wasn't the sincerity he claimed, but something disgusting like a rotten core instead.

What he did really made me feel extremely disgusted.

1

"Get away from me, don't touch me." I coldly pushed him aside, looking at the chaos of this wedding.

This absurd farce was finally over.

Watching him panic under the accusations of the crowd, I felt a triumphant satisfaction. After lurking for so long, it was worth it.

It all started back in my sophomore year.

I was an only child from a comfortably well-off family.

Since childhood, my parents had pampered me with the best food and clothes, aiming to raise me well so I wouldn't be dazzled by the world's temptations.

In my sophomore year, I met a boy. He was the kind of handsome that radiated sunshine. I often saw him on the basketball court and in many other places. I always felt we had a destined connection, constantly running into each other by chance.

My looks were considered top-tier at our university, and many boys tried to win me over with breakfast or other flattering gestures.

But he was different.

We took many of the same courses, so sometimes we would be in the same classes.

He sat around me, not because he wanted to, but because the view from the back was poor, and he didn't want to be called on by the professor.

I had seen many handsome guys, and plenty had tried to win me over, so at first, I didn't pay him much attention.

In my mind, my outstanding beauty, was surely potent enough to charm any guy. Every day, I would narcissistically admire myself in the mirror. My skin was flawless, my outfits were the trendiest, and I had an enviable figure.

That boy, sitting behind me every day, would eventually be conquered by me.

Sometimes, these thoughts would pop into my head for no reason. It was strange, but also a reality.

"Rylie, will you be my girlfriend?"

After a lecture, I was still in a daze, not fully processing what the professor had said.

I had a serious case of morning grumpiness.

"Get lost." Everyone knew I was an aloof and elegant beauty topping the university rankings, not someone to be trifled with.

The guy was left embarrassed, and I turned to leave with my friends.

Roderick Barnes, who always sat behind me, blocked my path.

I raised an eyebrow in annoyance. "What? Are you going to confess too?"

To my surprise, Roderick said something that shocked me both in college and to this day: "Who do you think you are, to tell my friend to get lost? If you don't want to accept his affection, can't you at least speak politely? Apologize to him."

Oh, right. I forgot to mention that I only knew his name was Roderick because the professor called it during lectures and he always sat close to me.

It was the first time a guy spoke to me like that, and I was stunned.

My friends reacted before I did, pulling my arm and pushing Roderick aside. "Are you crazy? Rylie, let's go."

My friends dragged me away, but his words kept echoing in my mind.

Who did I think I was?

What the heck? I was a renowned beauty on the university rankings.

My head felt like it was going to explode, and I couldn't help but glance back at Roderick.

I thought I saw him smile, like a hunter savoring the naivety of his prey.

But when I blinked and looked again, his face was serious.

Was it just my imagination?

2

"Rylie, stop looking. You're the recognized goddess of our department. That guy's just blind, ignore him."

My friends thought I was troubled by what had happened and tried to comfort me as they pulled me towards the cafeteria.

That incident marked the beginning of Roderick's integration into my life.

I started to notice him unintentionally.

He was different from the boys who only tried to flatter me.

His grades were excellent, and he was always ahead of me in elective courses, often challenging me like a devil's advocate.

He never apologized for what happened that day, and everything seemed as if it never occurred. Our relationship remained the same, yet something had changed.

"Oh no, it's raining, and I forgot my umbrella."

That day, it was drizzling, and none of my good friends showed up for the public lecture due to the bad weather. So I signed in for them.